Sadly, I found "Such a Fun Age" too... shallow, the characters undeveloped, the dialogues strange. I wanted to see more, to learn more about the protagonists, to understand how they tick. The big reveal at the end fell flat, same with the characters development - it seems that they were left with what they started. The best thing about the book was a little girl named Briar, an extra star for her.

While initially gripping and fast-paced, "Such a Fun Age" quickly became repetitive and dull. It is not a bad book, but I think there are better books (which also cover the issues of discrimination, injustice and racism).

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the book for free in exchange for a fair review.

After reading so many rave reviews I was really looking forward to reading this.... however I was left feeling just 'meh'.

I think the author set out with some great intentions - looking at race, class and more, through the eyes of a babysitter and her employee.  However, the story telling doesnt quite hit any of the marks.

Although it is an easy read, I did find the plot just ambled on.

I was also super surprised to learn the author is a POC... I just assumed from the way she wrote that she was white.  Im so disappointed as she could, as a WOC, have developed the nannies character so much more.  

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

An incredibly compelling novel that I absolutely raced through. It was a hilarious, incredibly entertaining read, but also very moving and emotionally powerful.

I enjoyed this book and found myself reading multiple chapters at a time, which doesn’t happen often.
A story very relevant to these times and told in a non preachy way. 
I can see this book being enjoyed by a wide range of people.

Such an excellent story - it makes you think end is the perfect book club story for discussion. I raced through it.

A rollicking, often funny read that grapples with topical issues of race and class. Full of contemporaneous language and references that captures the zeitgeist. A satire that illustrates the limitations of well-meaning wokeness, especially when people are unable to recognise their own privilege.

The book is right on the pulse of a very complex and explosive racial conversation that is taking place in America specifically in this book but is happening truly everywhere people of multiple races converge. This will be very easily sold because of that but the lyrical fluidity to the writing also helps.

Such a fun book! I read the first chapter earlier in the year and set the book aside, thinking it was too hip for me. I’m glad I decided to try again – it was such a good read, so assured and contemporary. Once I got past that slightly contrived first chapter, I found it really addictive. The laser-precision plotting and characterization reminded me of Jennifer Egan, Jonathan Franzen and Zadie Smith at their peak, but the sassy voice is all Reid’s own. There are no clear villains here; Alix Chamberlain could have easily filled that role, but I felt for her and for Kelley as much as I did for Emira. The fact that I didn’t really think anyone was completely wrong shows how much nuance Reid was able to work in.

The complexity of the race relations comes to the fore when Alix realizes that the ex who, she’s convinced, ruined her high school career, is now her Black babysitter’s boyfriend. The question of privilege is as much about money as it is about race, though, and Reid shows how these are inextricably intertwined. The last line, seems to finger wealth as the biggest contributing factor to how out-of-touch people like Alix are. Emira genuinely loves the precocious little girl she babysits for, but she is also desperate to find a real job that includes health benefits. While I don’t think this was Booker Prize material, I do think it’s Costa or Women’s Prize fodder (depending on the release date and eligibility; I think it missed out on the Women’s Prize longlist, inexplicably) and I’m looking forward to Reid’s next work. [Only one line felt off to me: “This comment felt like he’d reached in her chest and shooed her heart as if it were a bug that had landed too close.”]

Absolutely adored this book, a true and honest portrait of life in modern day America looking at the impact on a racist encounter on two very different women.

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED THIS. Such a powerful read. Brilliantly written and full of humour and life.

I have heard so many positive reviews of this book, so much hype, i was scared it wouldn’t live up to it. The cover didnt pull me in but once I started reading, well, I was hooked. A brilliant powerful story, the characters truly come to life and were so well written it felt like I knew them. Exploring race and power dynamics this is a timely book written in such a contemporary style, it’s so easy to fall into, I didn’t want it to end.

I completely understand the hype for this novel- it is a sparky, pacey, well observed account that is charming, uncomfortable and completely of the moment. Exploring racial, class and economic disparity in a nuanced way, we see examples of each situation from different characters perspectives. Many of these instances are presented to the reader by how Emira experiences the reaction others present to her, being hyper aware of their “wokeness” and outward appearance, rather than her feeling directly affected. I loved exploring how Alix perceives herself against what Emira actually thinks and feels about her, which is often indifference; and in contrast the familiar and informal dialogue between Emira and her friends- especially depicted on their nights out. Such an incredible story that picks through so many topics in a rich and layered manner. Enthralling.

I was gripped by this book from the first page. Emira and Alix are wonderful characters and Briar is one of the best-written child characters I've read for a long time. Entertaining and thought-provoking, and so relevant to the anti-racism conversations we're having right now.

A fantastic read! Navigates the reality of white privilege and the power dynamic between employer and employee with an incisive and darkly funny tone, highly recommended.

Really enjoyed this, uncomfortable to read in parts but that's part of what makes it such an interesting book! Would definitely recommend

Important reading if you want to educate yourself about white privilege, told in a modern, relatable and accessible way. That's not to say Kiley Reid has in anyway dumbed-down the themes covered in Such a Fun Age, in fact she handled them with subtlety and irony, inserting such obvious racial treatment and undertones that you almost can't believe the (white) characters do not realise it. There were parts of the book that reminded me of the films Get Out and Us in that respect.

Noy at all what I expected! Enjoyable to read and kept me interested. Did feel like it was trying to cover all sorts of hot topics: social media vs reality, identity politics, motherhood vs working life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A very clever and engaging read, I really enjoyed this book from start to finish! It had a rich commentary on and insight into current topics like privilege, family, dating and parenting. The characters were wonderfully developed and I enjoyed the interactions between Emira and the supporting characters at every point. I will definitely recommend to friends and could easily imagine it being developed as a TV series. Looking forward to reading more of Kiley Reid's books in the future!

This is book is a sharp, smart and insightful social commentary on both race and class. Reid is a brilliant storyteller and I'm really excited to see what she comes up with next.

This was a really good read. A fascinating storyline coupled with well-formed, interesting characters had me hooked from the beginning. Its observations on race and class were thought-provoking. Definitely one to add to your library.